Phonograph apparatus



Dec. 21, 1948. J. H. PRESSLEY PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 24, 1944 INVENTOR JACK ON HIPRESSLEY FlG.9

Dec. 21, 1948* J PRESSLEY 2,457,106

- PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet'3 INVENTOR JACKSON H PRESSLEY Dec. 21,1948. '1. H. PRESSLEY 2,

PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 K I ullllllln 58 54 so (\q 7 m M I36 I34 My 6: {WM

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INVENTOR 1 JACKSON H. PRESSLEY ATTORNEY DecQZI, 1948. J. H. PRESSLEY f rnonoe mrn- APPARATUS Filed Jan. 24, 1944 s Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.?

:::: T:.' FIG-8 z gt 44 INVENTOR JACKSON H. PRESSLEY ATTORNEY Dec. 21, 1948. J. H. PRESSLEY I 0 I monoewa urmu'us Filed Jan. 24, 1944 I 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG."

mvzmon JACKSON H. PRESSLEY Patented Dec. 21, 1948 PHONOGRAPH APPARATUS Jackson H. Pressley, Marion, Ind., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Farnsworth Research Corporation, a corporation of Indiana Application January 24, 1944, Serial No. 519,430

This invention relates generally to automatic phonograph apparatus and more particularly to drop-down record changing apparatus having novel means for supporting a stack of records and novel means for separating and releasing records to the turntable.

One form of conventional record changing apparatus for automatically dropping records to a turntable includes a plurality of peripheral supports for engaging the outer edge of the lower- 16 Claims. (Cl. 274) cycle to prevent impact between the superim-" most record in the stack together with a means associated with one of said supports for shifting the lowermost record in a lateral direction to release it to the turntable. Another conventional form of drop-down record changing apparatus includes for supporting a plurality of records the combination of a support associated with the centering spindle and a single peripheral support cooperating therewith whereby records may be shifted laterally and released to the turntable.

Athird type of well-known drop-down record changing apparatus includes a centering spindle which comprises the sole support of the entire stack of records. In all of these forms of record changing apparatus, it is conventional practice to successively and automatically drop one record at 'a time to the turntable by sliding the lowermost record out of engagement with the supporting structure. In so doing, it is characteristic that the entire stack of records drops as a unit and impacts the supporting means either at certain points on the periphery of the lowermost record or at a point adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record. When there are several records remaining in the stack, and particularly in the case of several large records remaining in the stack, there is heavy impact on a very small area of the lowermost record either on the periphery or adjacent the centering aperture which usually cracks or otherwise mutilates that record.

Similar injury can result when a stack of records is carelessly placed on the supporting structure. Obviously such injuries to records decrease their useful life and result in the loss of many otherwise undamaged records.

Accordingly, the principal object of this invention is to provide a novel record changing apparatus characterized by its ability to so handle records that damage to the records may be reduced to a minimum.

A further object of this invention is to provide in a record changing apparatus a novel record supporting and handling structure for removing from the lowermost record the weight of superimposed records whereby during a record changing posed records and the supporting structure.

A still further object of this invention is .to provide in a record changing apparatus auxiliary record supporting structure characterized by its ability to support all but the lowermost record during the period that said record is moved from the stack to the turntable.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an automatic record'changing apparatus comprising a turntable, a pickup arm pivotally mounted adjacent the turntable, a changecycle control mechanism and a first peripheral supporting means for engaging the peripheral edge of the lowermost record in the stack of records. The supporting means includes a means for sliding the lowermost record laterally with respect to the stack and is adjustable for supporting either a stack-of small records or a stack of large records. There is also provided a centering spindle including a shoulder for engaging the edge of the centering aperture ofthe lowermost record in the stack and cooperating with the peripheral support to support the stack of records over the turntable in a position to be successively and automatically dropped thereon. Incorporated in the change-cycle control mechanism is a cam for moving the spindle in a vertical direction during the record changing cycle to elevate the stack of records above its normal plane. For supporting the records in this position, there is provided a pair of auxiliary supports which are rotatably mounted adjacent the periphery of the turntable and are movable into a position to engage the periphery of the stack of records when it is in its elevated position. While the records are supported on the first peripheral support and the auxiliary peripheral supports, the spindle is lowered out of engagement with the lowermost record in the stack and that record is moved laterally until its centering aperture is in a position to clear the shoulder on the centering spindle. Thereafter the spindle is elevated into engagement with the record immediately above the low ermost record to lift the stack free of the lowermost record. At this time, the change-cycle control mechanism separates the first peripheral support and the auxiliary supports to drop the lowermost record to the turntable. As in conventional record changers, the tone arm is then moved into engagement with the record.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and further objects thereof,

reference is made to the following description,

taken in connection with the accompanying drawshown in Fig. 1 and and includes a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a bottom view of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side-elevation View, with broken away, of the record-moving apparatus which is shown in section in Fig. 3. Y I I v Fig. 6 is a perspective taken from underneath the record-changing apparatus illustrated in Fig. '1'.

Fig. '7 is a perspective taken from above the change-cycle control mechanism illustrated in Fig. 6'.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8 -8 of Fig. 1. Fig.9 is a partialv top plan view of amodification of the record changer apparatus illustrated inFi -1.

Fig. 1 0 is a side-elevation view of the modified apparatus illustrated in Fig. 9. o

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the modified apparatus illustrated in Figs. '9 and 10. .,Referring to the drawings, the invention therein illustrated embodies phonographapparatus com; prising a base plate lfihaving a bracket ll fixed thereto for supporting a rotatable hollow shaft I2 to which is fixed turntable 14;. There is also provided a tone arm l6 pivoted for vertical and horizontal movement on a, pedestal 21 fixedly mounted on base plate Ill. There is-provided on the tone arm a pickup I! for reproducing records on. the. turntable.

For driving shaft 12 and turntable l4, there is provided a pulley I8, conn-ected'to motor 19, and engaging friction wheel 20, which in turn engages the inner surface of the flange on turntable I4. v

Forsupporting a stack of records above the turntable in a position to, be dropped thereto,

posed in a plane substantially common with the plane of shelf 24 on spindle 22 and spacedfrom the turntable for supporting the lowermost rec'- ord of a stack of -inch or 12-inchgrecord s. Extension 36 includes a rotatable shaft 4|, which extends downwardly within pedestal 3 1;. Flange --portion ,42 of shaft 4| engages shoulder 43 of pedestal 3] which forms arotatable support for shaft 4|. flange portion 42 includes apair of vposses 45 for engaging notches 46 in shoulder ;43. Bosses 45 and notches 46, respectively, are

spaced 180 apart whereby to provide two positions for bracket 30 sojthat either shelf -32 or shelf 33 may be accurately positioned for sup- ;porting a stack of small "or large records. Spring mernber'48 anchored to pedestal 3l and engaging the upper surface of flange 42 urges the bosses 45 into the notches 46 to retain the bracket in either of the two positions mentioned above.

For positioning the pickup arm l6 over the initial playing groove of either a small record or 5 a large record, lower end 44 of shaft 4| is beveled. Pin 50 extends downwardly from the lower end of shaft 4i and is biased by spring 51 into engagehiem with the beveled-portion not shaft 4|. When the bracket 30 is rotated 180 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a position for supp orting large records, beveled portion 44 of shaft 41 mate's pin 56- downwardly into such a position that jit functions 'to position the pickup arm over the initial playing groove of the large record as will be described hereinafter. As will be obvious from inspection of the drawings, spring El pin 50 to the position shown in Fig. 3 when the bracket 39 is rotated to a position for supporting small records whereby pickup arm I6 is also controlled to move into alignment with the initial playing groove tr such recaps. I Fbnmoving record moving member triers is provided a l ever '54 pivoted pm 'tswhin upwardly through shaft 4L: to aperture provided in member 35. "Ifhe itwe portibii 6f lever 54extends eastwards through a erture 5? in base plate If] into ehz'a "r'ne'nt witngievei 60 pivotally mounted "for mo z o ntal pla ets stud '61. w biasedto the position shown in Fig. 2 b? :52 anchored to lever-'54 "at its 'lowrefi aria to base plate "I0. x I e v or centering the etres above the turntable andfguiding them to the 'turntable, there *is'pifd vided a movable spindle "2 2 eatehain ne vvr ary thr aten amiable t an :2. pihdle there'are'several records in the fit guides t hem idwaratiaeketata a to ngaga'shouldr 24 anafsiieives fajztr t3. withers member 25, "the "records wbiiia'be pet: mitted o remain aligned with the "itwi peruse pr spindle 2,- in whi h posit-15s tiiywauia cute to the turntable. When records aide- Fem vet frorn turntable |'4, slottd'iheinber 2'5 is en;

igaged by the records and inbvea and into alignment with the body of t For elevating spindle .2 2 and the :stack of records during a record chang ing eve-1e, there is provided a spring biased lever lmonegehd which engages the lower end of spindle zzena the Oth'filelld of which engages H Lever it is pivoted n ear #2 formed integrial lywith plate 'i;3 which isfixed between biacket H studs l i-and 1-5 which are fixed frbm base;pl ate I-ll. -For biasing lever :Hl, there provided a spring 16 which is fixed between lever 'ln and plate 13 Thus when there are ll 0 on spindle 22, the {spring I6 pivotsthe leveri'na clockwise direction whereupon the spindle li's raised to the dotted-line position shown ."2. For engaging the lowermostfrecord in ire stack during the record changing cycle, tl'fereis iner members 80 may be rotated into engagement with the lowermost record of the stack. For rotating members 80, there is provided on the lower ends of each of them the crank members 82 connected to be moved in unison by tie-rod 83. Lever 85 is fixed to one of the members 82 as illustrated in Fig. 4 and pivoted on a stud 86 whereby to simultaneously rotate members 80 into engagement with the lowermost record of the stack. The end 81 of lever 85 is biased into contact with cam 89 by a spring 90 which is anchored to one of the members 82 and to the base plate whereby lever 85 and members 82 follow the motion imparted thereto by cam 89.

As stated hereinbefore, tone arm I8 is supported for vertical and horizontal movement on pedestal 21. For moving tone arm I6 in a horizontal plane, there is provided within pedestal 21 a-hollow shaft 9|, to which is clamped a crank arm 92 having a lug 93 at the end thereof projecting downwardly into engagement with an L shaped lever 95. Lever 95 is pivoted at one end thereof to base plate III at 96, the other end 91 of this lever being disposed to engage cam I whereby the lever is oscillated in a horizontal plane during the record changing cycle. Lug 93 projects through aperture 98 in lever 95 which is elongated to allow tone arm I16 free movement over the playing grooves of the record. For biasing the tone arm toward the center of the turntable, there is provided a spring 99 which is fixed between lug 93 and base plate I0 to be lightly tensioned as the tone arm approaches the limit of its outer movement.

Lever 95 is provided with an extension I02 for engaging with pin 50 associated with record supporting bracket 30. As explained hereinbefore, When bracket 30 is rotated into position for supporting small records, pin 50 is in its uppermost position but when bracket 30 is rotated to support large records, surface 44 of shaft 4I cams pin 50 downwardly into the path of extension I02 on lever 95. Referring to Fig. 4, when lever 95 moves in a clockwise direction to return tone arm I6 into position to engage the initial playing groove of a record, pin 50, when moved downwardly, engages extension I02 to stop the movement of lever 95 and also tone arm I6 in alignment with the initial playing groove of a large record. I

For elevating tone arm I6 during a record changing cycle, there is provided a vertically movable pin I03 within hollow shaft 9I for engaging the under side of tone arm I6. Spring I04 abuts hollow shaft 9I and a collar on pin I03 to exert downward pressure for retaining pin I03 in its lowermost position. For controlling the movement of pin I03, there is provided a lever I05, one end of which engages with the pin and the other end of which engages cam I0I on cam gear I40. Lever I05 is pivoted to a turned-up ear I56 provided on the supporting plate 13 whereby downward motion of the end I08 of lever I05 elevates pin I03.

For controlling the inward swing 'of tone arm I6 after all records have been placed on the turntable and after the last record is played, there is provided a lever I I2 also pinned to the ear I06 on plate I3. Lever H2 is so disposed that one end thereof is movable adjacent the edge of cam IN. The other end in the form of a hook II3 projects upwardly to engage with an extension II5 of lever 95. Thus lever II2 can be moved to place the portion H3 in the path of projection II5 to limit the movement of lever 95 and the movement of crank arm 92 whereby to limit the inward movement of tone arm I6. Lever H2 is so operated by a rotatable plate I" comprising a down wardly-extending lug I I8 which is movable about the pivot I I9 into the path of the end I20 of lever II2. Spring II4 secured to plate I3 and ear IIB biases end I20 into the path of lug I I8.

There is also provided on plate III a lug I2I for engaging an arm I24 connected with switch I30, the operation of which will be described hereinafter. Plate II! is rotatable by the upper portion 'Il oflever I0. When lever 10 is in they full-line position shown in Fig. 2, portion 11 engages lug II8 to position plate In as shown in Fig. 4 for engaging end I20 of lever H2 and moving. it to elevate end II3 above extension II5 on lever 95. When lever I0 is in the dotted-line position illustrated in Fig. 2, portion 'I'I engages lug I2I to rotate lever H1 in a counterclockwise direction whereby lug IN is moved into position to engage arm I24 of switch I30. When plate I H is in this position, lug H8 is displaced so that it does not engage lever H2 and thus arm II3 of lever I I2 intercepts arm I I5 of lever to prevent the tone arm from swinging inwardly over the last record on the turntable. When lug I2I engages arm I24, switch I30 is rotated to the olfpositon.

For operating the trip mechanism hereinafter to be described, there is provided a lever I32 pivoted on hollow shaft 9| which is associated with tone arm I5. On lever I32 there is provided a turned down ear I33, the purpose of which will subsequently be explained. Lever I32 is moved when tone arm I9 rotates by reason of the engagement therewith of a clutch member I34. This consists of a collar I35 fixed to shaft BI and in engagement with the upper surface of lever I32. Frictional member I3 5 engages the lower surface of lever I32 and the clamp portion of lever 92 also fixed to shaft 9|. Through the frictional engagement between lever I32 and shaft 9|, the lever is caused to rotate with tone arm I6 as the stylus tracks the playing grooves of the record.

For controlling a record-changing cycle, there is provided a tripping mechanism comprising a cam gear I40 rotatably mounted on a stud I5 fixed to base plate I0. Cam gear I40 forms a rotatable support for cams 89, I00, I01, and II, mentioned hereinbefore in connection with various lever which they operate. There is also provided on the gear a pin I28 for operating lever 60 and resetting lever I32. For driving cam gear I40, there is provided a pinion gear I42 which is fixed to the turntable shaft I2. One revolution of cam gear I40 defines the time interval required to carry out a recordchanging cycle, and for terminating a record-changing cycle the gear is mutilated as at I43 by removing a suitable number of teeth.

For initiating the operation of cam gear I40, there is provided a pin or other suitable projection M4 in the hub of pinion I42. For cooperating with pin I44 there is provided a lever I45 pivoted at I48 to gear I40 for rotation by lever I32 which is associated with the tone arm control mechanism. One end of lever I45 is provided with a lug I4'I for engaging with lever I32. The other end of lever I45 is provided with a lug I48 of resilient material for engaging with the pin I44. When lever I32 moves lever I45 into such a position that lug I48 is in the path of pin I44, this pin imparts motion to gear I40 through lever I45 whereby gears I40 and I42 mesh with one another. For returning lever I45 to i'it's idle position, there is provided a disc 149 on stud -6I for engaging lug I48 as gear I40v rotates through a cycle.

For energizing motor I9 and -initiat-ing operation of the phonograph apparatus, there is pro-- vided a switch I30 having four positions, oif, manual, automatic and reject. When switch I30 is in any other position thanthe elf position, motor 19 is energized through a pair of conductors which are not shown. Switch I30 includes a crank arm 'I5I for engaging lug 152011 a pivoted plate I53. Plate I53 is pivoted "enlpin I55 to which is hired lever I24 previously mentioned as being operated by the lug 121 on plate In. Attached to plate I53 is a rod I56 which extends across gear I40 and terminates in a hooked portion I53, which projects into 'an aper 'ture I60 in lever I32. Aperture I60 is dimen sioned to allow a certain degree of free m'ove= ment with respect to rod I56. Switch I30, when moved to the manual position, moves rod I56 into engagement with the outer edge of aperture I60 to prevent lever I32 from acting, but when the switch is in the automatic position, it .positions rod I56 within the aperture I60 so that lever I32 can move freely. However, when switch I30 is moved to the reject position, rod I56 engages the inner side of aperture I 60 and lever 132 is moved into engagement with lever M5 to trip gear i4 and cause it to carry out a record-changing cycle.

The record changer structure described hereinbefore operates in the following manner. It will be assumed that a number of "records are placed on the supports comprising spindle shoulder 24 and shelf/32 of bracket 30. It will also be assumed that a single record is placed on turntable I4. Switch I30 is rotated to "its third or auto"- matic position for energizing motor 19 to automatically and successively reproduce one record after another. Tone arm I6 is placed iniposition to "engage stylus 2! in the initial playing groove of the record and the stylus follows "the "spiral playing groove until eventually it tracks the eccentric change control groove which imparts an oscillating motion to the tone arm. Throughout the period that the stylus tracks the playing groove, lever I32 is rotated by clutch 134 in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with lever I45 to move its end I48 toward pinion I 42. The pinion is continuously rotated -with the turntable I4 and pin I44 continually strikes the end I48 of lever I45 to rotate it in 'a'countem clockwise (-Fig. 4-) direction, thereby to continual 1y return lever I32 to its initial position. When the tone arm oscillates in the change groove of the record, the counterclockwise rotation of lever I32 ibecomes fast enough to move lever I45 in a clockwise direction far enough for pin I44 directly to engage the end I 48 whereby the :motion' of pin I44 rotates cam gear I40 into 'mesh Wit pinion I42. p

Cam gear I40, driven by pin-ion l42,-makes--one complete revolution back to its original position where mutilated portion I43 is -=adjacent pinion I42. During the revolution of gear I40 lever I45 is-reset to its idle position whendisc l49 on stud BI engages end I48 of lever I45. Lever I32 is reset as pin I28 on gear I40 engages ear 133 on the lever. This revolution of the cam gear carries out a complete change cycle to automatically placea new record on the turntable. When the oam gear starts its-rot ation -from-its idle position, the surface o f carn III-I depresses the end I08 of lever I and thereby elevates (pin 403 to lift tone arm I-6j=and'=comp'ress spring 104. After tone N1 is elevated,-c'am I 00 rotates lever 95 in a counterclockwise direction whereby the pin 93 and lever '92 are rotated in a clockwise direction to rotate shaft .-9-I and toneqarm it beyond the periphery of the record -on the turntable.

Simultaneously with the movement of the tone afmthe surface HA of'cam "M (Fig. 2) depresses and rotates lever "I 0 in a clockwise :direction to elevate-spindle '22 and therewith the records supp'ortedon shoulder 24. The surface of cam :I-I holds spindle 22 in iits eleva'ted position, and "cam 89 rotates lever '85 in a counterclockwise direction to rotate crank arms 82 which in turn rotate record supports to a position underneath the records which have been elevated by spindle 22.

After the auxiliary suppbrts 00 are rotated in this manner, cam II permits lever I0 to return t'o'its normal position thereby lowering spindle 22 to in turn lower the records onto supports 30. When the spindle is 'freeof the records, pin "128 on cam-gear Mil is rotated sufiiciently to engage theend=63 of lever 00and rotate it in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. '7'). Rotation or lever 60 causes it to engage with the lower ell-d of lever 54' and rotate it in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 8D to movethe record-moving'mem ber 35 toward the spindle 2-2. The shelf 38 of member 35 moves under the lowermost record in the stack of records, and the-shoulder 34 ren g'ages' the lowermost record and moves its center ing aperture into alignment with spindle 22. However, the lowermost record cannot idrop "by reason of the fact that'it 'is supported :on shelf 38 and auxiliary supports 80.

When the centeringiaperture 'of the record-has been moved into alignment with the spindle 22, surface 71B "of cam iii again depresses :lever '10 and elevate spindle 22 through the aperture 0f the lowermost record and into engagement with the superimposed record to lift the remaini records in the stack free or the 'l'ower-most record. Thus the entire stack or records i's-supported on shoulder 24 of spindle 22. Thereafter cam 89 re;- turn s lever and auxiliary supports 'llfl to their respective initial positions and pin 428 on cam gear 140 moves out of contact with lever '60 whereby spring G-Z :re'turn's lever 80 to its initial position and therewith record-moving m'ember35 to its initial position. The movements of auxiliary. supports 80 and record movi-ng member 35 are timed so that these members simultaneously release the lowermost record to drop-on the turntable. After-"the lowermost record dropped to the turntable, cam till} (Fig. 4) allow .lever to move in :a clockwise direction under the influen'ceof spring H9 whereby pin 93 and iever 92 are rotated in a counterclockwise direction :to in turn-move the tone arm back to a position over the initial playing groove of the newly-dropped record. H

At this timegcam I ll'lallows lever 'I 05 to return to its initial position-under the influence ofspr-ing I04 to lower pin I03 and tone arm I 6 until stylus '21 engages the initial playing groove of the rec- 0rd. The tone arm tracks the spiral playing groove until it again engages the changetgroove in the record at which time the change cycle is repeated as-desc-ribed. 7

When the iast record has been played .by the pickup I1, the .tone arm is oscillated as already 'd-escl'ibed' and a change cycle is initiated. Ifihe cam gear -I40r0tates asdescribed before, but the spindle is in its elevated position by reason of the .fact that there are no records -onshoulder 24, and spring 16 rotates lever in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) to lift spindle 22. Soon after cam gear I40 commences its rotation, the rotatable plate H1 is rotated in a clockwise direction by reason of the fact that ear IZI engages the ,1; portion 11 of lever 10 to space the ear IIO away from the edge of cam I01. When lever II1 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 4, ear II8 engages the end of lever H2 and rotates it in a clockwise direction (Fig. 2) to elevate the hooked e10 portion H3 above the plane of the extension H5 on lever 95, thus allowing lever 95 to place the tone arm in position to engage the initial playing groove of the record. However, when plate I has been rotated, as described above, to space the car II8 away from cam I01, this ear cannot engage lever II2 whereby the hooked portion I I3 remains in the plane of projection I I5 on lever 95 to halt the movement of lever 95 so that tone arm I6 is not returned to a position over the initial playing groove of the record. Thus records may be removed from or placed on turntable I4,without striking tone arm I6.

Cam gear I continues its rotation and ear I2I engages the crank arm I24 connected to switch- I30 to rotate the switch to its off-position whereby motor I1 is deenergized and the turntable ceases to rotate.

The record changer apparatus may be manually controlled by rotating switch I30 to the m-an- 30 ual control position as indicated in Fig. 1. By so rotating the switch, the rod I56 is moved to such a position that its hooked portion I58 engages the outer edge of aperture I60 in lever E32 and prevents lever I32 from engaging lever I45. Thus gg even though the tone arm tracks the change groove in the record, lever I32 cannot initiate a record changing cycle.

When switch I30 is rotated in. a counterclockwise direction to the extreme position labeled go Rej. in Fig. 1, rod I56 is moved to such a position that its hooked portion 158 engages the inner edge of aperture I60 of lever-I 32 and moves it into engagement with lever I whereby cam gear I40 is moved into mesh with pinion I42 and a change 55 cycle is initiated. I

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the idea of elevating a stack of records by means of the spindle 22. For example, in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 there is shown a modification of this invention wherein the stack of records may be elevated by a pair of auxiliary supporting devices. There is provided a pair of pedestals I62 for supporting shafts I63, to the top of which is fixed rotatable record-supporting members I65. These members comprise two beveled shelf surfaces I65A and I653, the first being adapted to support small records and the second being adapted to support large records. Both shelves are joined by a knife-edge I650 formoving under the peripheral edge of the lowermost supported record in the stack so that when members I 65 are rotated, the beveled shelf members elevate the stack of records from the spindle. I

The mechanism for rotating shelves I65 comprises pinion gears I69 and I10 fixed to the lower ends of shafts I63, rack member I1I, lever I 80 and cam I18 on cam gear I40. Rack member I1I is provided with apertures I12 which allow movement of the rack with respect to-shafts I63, and for imparting movement to-pinions i 60and I10 there is provided rack teeth I13 fixed torack I1I whereby oscillating movement bfmcmber Hi imparts rotational movement-to pinions 1 69 and no and shafts I63. Spring l15 is-fixedfbetween one 10 end of member HI and base plate I0 for imparting movement in one direction to member I1I as will be explained hereinafter. Cam gear I40 is provided with cam groove I18 instead of a cam such as 89 illustrated in Figs, 3 and 4. Cam gear I40 otherwise consists of the same cam elements and is operated in the same manner as described .hereinbefore in connection with the other modification of this invention.

The record-changing cycle is initiated in this modification in the same manner as in the previously described modification whereby the tone arm is initially moved beyond the periphery of the record on the turntable.

At the same time, portion I18A of cam I18 has no effect on lever I80. However, portion I18B of cam I18 rotates lever I in a counterclockwise direction to move rack I1I to the right. Such movement of rack I1I imparts motion to pinions I69 and I10 and shafts I63 as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 11. Shelves I65 move under the records to initially elevate the stack from shoulder 24 of spindle 22. Cam portion I of cam I18 maintains the records in elevated position during a time suficient to permit the lowermost record to be moved into alignment with the spindle 22. The movement of the record is described hereinbefore in connection with the other modification of this invention. After the record has been moved, cam portion I 18D and spring I15 moves lever I80 and rack I1I back to its normal position to lower the stack of records onto the shelf 24 of spindle 22. At this time-the released record is dropped to the turntable and the tone arm is moved into engagement with the initial playing groove of the record.

While there has been described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and second peripheral record-supporting means disposed adjacent said turntable and opposite said first peripheral record-supporting means andpivotally mounted for movement under or away from the peripheral edge of said lowermost record, means for driving said phonograph, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said spindle for elevating it, cam means oper- -atively associated with said driving means and said second peripheral record-supporting means for rotating it into supporting relation with said lowermost record after said spindle is elevated, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said spindle for lowering it'after said second peripheral record-supporting means is operated, record-moving means operatively associated with said driving means and said movable shelves for moving them toward or away from said spindle-to move a record to such a position that its centering aperture is in alignment with said spindle and to release a record and cam means opera shelf movable for engaging the peripheral edge portion of a record in said stack, a third recordsupporting means disposed adjacent said turntable and opposite said second record-supporting:

means and mounted for movement into or out of engagement with said lowermost record, means for driving said phonograph, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said first record-supporting means for elevating it toclevate the stack, cam means associated with said driving means and said third peripheral record-supporting means for rotating it into supporting relation with said lowermost record after said first record-supporting means is elevated.

cam means operatively associated with said driving means and. said first record-supporting means for lowering it after said third peripheral recordsupporting means is operated and record-moving means operatively associated with said driving means and said record-moving shelves formoving them toward or away from said spindle to move a record to such a position that its centering aperture is in alignment with said spindle and to release a record.

3. An automatic phonograph mechanism comprising a turntable, a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including means for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record in the stack, stationary means adjacent the peripheral edge of the lowermost record in said stack for engaging and supporting said stack, means for elevating and lowering said spindle, peripheral supporting means movable into and out of position to intercept the lowermost record of said stack when it is elevated by said spindle, record-moving means operatively associated with said stationary record support for moving the lowermost record of'said stack in a horizontal plane when said movable peripheral support is in engagement with said lowermost record and driving means operatively associated with said mechanism.

4. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including a notched portion for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record in the stack, stationary means adjacent the peripheral edge of the lowermost record in said stack for engaging and supporting said stack, auxiliary peripheral supporting means rotatable into a position to intercept the lowermost record of said stack, a record-moving support operatively associated with said stationary record support for moving the lowermost record of said stack in a horizontal plane into alignment with said spindle when said auxiliary peripheral support is in engagement with said lowermost record, cam means operable after said lowermost record is moved for elevating said spindle and therewith the record stack with respect to said lowermost record, and driving means operatively associated with said cam means and said supports for moving them to carry out a record changing cycle.

5. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including means for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record in the stack, means adjacent the peripheral edge of the lowermost record in said stack for engaging and supporting said stack, auxiliary peripheral supporting means movable into a position to intercept the lowermost record of said stack, record movi-ng means operatively associated with said stationary record support. for moving the lowermost record of said stack in a horizontal plane into alignment with said spindle when said movable peripheral support is in engagement with said lowermost record, means operable after said lowermost record is moved for elevating said spindle and therewith the record stack with respect to said lowermost record and driving means operatively associated with said spindle elevating means and said supports for moving them. to carry out a record changing cycle.

6. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a first means for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost: record in the stack, peripheral supporting means movable into a positionto intercept the lowermost record of said'stack, recordmovlng means including a record support adjacent the periphery of said stack for separating the lowermost record from said'stack when said movable peripheral support is in position to intercept said lowermost record, means operable after said lowermost record is separated for elevating said first means and therewith the record stack with respect to said lowermost record and driving means operatively associatedwith elevating means and said supports for moving them to carry out a record changing cycle.

7. In an automatic phonograph, a record separating mechanism comprising a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including means for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record in the stack, means adjacent the peripheraledge of the lowermost record in said stack for supporting said stack, record-moving means operatively associated with said record supporting means for moving the lowermost record of said stack in a horizontal plane into alignment with said spindle, means operable after said lowermost record is moved for elevating said spindle and therewith the record stack with respect to said lowermost record and driving means operatively associated with said spindle and" said record moving means for separating the lowermost record from said stack. l

8. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including means for supporting a record stack adjacent the centering aperture-of the lowermost record in the stack, meansadjacent the peripheral edge of the lowermost record in said stack for cooperating With said spindle to support said stack, auxiliary peripheral supporting means movable into a position to intercept the lowermost record of said stack, record-moving means operatively associated with said stationary record support for moving the lowermost record of said stack in a horizontal plane into alignment with said spindle when said movable peripheral support is in engagement with said lowermost record, means operable after said lowermost record is moved for elevating said spindle and therewith the record stack with respect to said lowermost record, cam means operable to withdraw said auxiliary supporting means and said record moving means from said lowermost record, and driving means operatively associated with said spindle, said cam means and said supports for moving them to carry out a record changing cycle.

9. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a spindle centered with respect to said turntable and including means for supporting a plurality of records adjacent the centering aperture of the lowermost record, means adjacent the peripheral edge of the lowermost record for engaging and supporting said records,

auxiliary supporting means movable into a position to engage the lowermost record, record moving means adjacent the periphery of said lowermost record for moving it into alignment with said spindle when said auxiliary support is in engagement with said lowermost record,

means operable after said lowermost record is moved for elevating said spindle and therewith all but the lowermost record and driving means operatively associated with said spindle, said auxiliary support, said record moving means and said spindle elevating means for moving'them to carry out a record changing cycle.

10. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a first linearly movable record supporting means spaced above said turntable and adjacent thereto, a second peripheral record supporting means in a plane substantially with that of said first record supporting means for engaging the peripheral edge portion of a record,

a third peripheral record supporting means peripherally spaced from said second peripheral record supporting means in substantially the same plane with said first record supporting means and movable under or away from a record on said first record supporting means, means for driving said phonograph through a record chang-. ing cycle, means operatively associated with said driving means and said first record supporting means for successively and repeatedly elevating and lowering said first record supporting means, means operatively associated with said driving means and said third peripheral record supporting means for moving said third peripheral record supporting means under a record during a first elevation of said first record supporting means, and away from said record during asecond elevation of said first record supporting means and means operatively associated with said driving means and said second peripheral record supporting means for moving said second peripheral record supporting means toward said first record supporting means when said first record supporting means is first lowered and away from said first record supporting means when said third peripheral record supporting means are moved away from said record.

11. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a first linearly movable record supporting means spaced above said turntable and adjacent thereto, a second peripheral record supporting means in a plane substantially with that of said first record supporting means for engaging the peripheral edge portion of a record, a third peripheral record supporting means peripherally spaced from said second peripheral record supporting means in substantially the same plane with said first record supporting means and movable under or away from a record on said first record supporting means, means for driving said phonograph through a record changing cycle, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said first record supporting means for successively and repeatedly elevating and lowering said first record supporting means, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said third peripheral record supporting means under a record during a first elevation of said first record supporting means and away from said record during a second elevation of said first record supporting means and a cam operatively associated with said driving means and said second peripheral record supporting means for moving said second peripheral record supporting means toward said first record supporting means when said first record supporting means is first lowered and away from said first record supporting means when said third peripheral record supporting means are moved away from said record.

12. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a linearly movable spindle extending above said turntable and centered with respect to said turntable and including a record support spaced from said turntable, a first peripheral record supporting means in a plane substantially with that of said support and movable for engaging the peripheral edge portion of a record, a second peripheral record supporting means peripherally spaced from said first peripheral record supporting means in substantially the same plane with said record support and movable under or away from a record on said record support, means for driving said phonograph through a record changing cycle, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said spindle for successively and repeatedly elevating and lowering said spindle during a record changing cycle, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said second peripheral record supporting means for moving said second peripheral record supporting means under a record durin a first elevation of said spindle and away from said record during a second elevation of said spindle and a cam operatively associated with said driving means and said first peripheral record supporting means for moving said first peripheral record supporting means toward said spindle when said spindle is first lowered and away from said spindle when said second peripheral record supporting means are moved away from said record.

13. An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a linearly movable spindle extending above said turntable and centered with respect to said turntable and including a record supporting shoulder spaced from said turntable, a pcripheral record supporting means in a plane substantially with that of said shoulder and including shelves movable for engaging the peripheral edge portions of either a small or a large record, an auxiliary peripheral record supporting means peripherally spaced from said peripheral record supporting means in substantially the same plane with said record supporting shoulder and movable under or away from a record on said record supporting shoulder, means for driving said phonograph through a record changing cycle, cam means operatively associatedlwith said driving means and said spindle for sucessively and repeatedly elevating and lowering said spindle during a record changing cycle, cam means operatively associated with said driving means and said auxiliary record supporting means for moving said auxiliary record supporting means under a record during a first elevation of said memes 1-5 spindle andzawayirom; said-record during a-.sec.-- OHZZFEIGVZJBLOHOf saidvspindle' and a cam operatively associated with vsaid. driving means. and said :shelves' for movinggsaid shelves'toward said spindleaiter said spindleis first lowered and away'vfrom said spindlewhen said auxiliary recordc supportin-g means are moved away from said record:

1.4.. A'n automatic phonograph comprising a turntable, a'linearly movable spindle" extending aboveasaid-turn-table and centered with respect to sa-id'i turntable and including a record suppontingushoulder spaced from said turntable; a peripheral recordsuporting ,means in av plane substantially with-thatof. said shoulder and: in-

cluding. shelves movable 'f or engaging I the peripheral=.-edgev portions of'either a small or a large record;v an auxiliary peripheral record supporting means comprising a pairof record supporting members peripheral-1y spaced from said: peripheral; record-s supporting means in substantially the: same-'- plane: with said record: supporting shoulder? and movable under or away from a recordfonisaid record: supporting shoulder, means for driving: said' phonograph'through a: record changing/cycle; camzmeans'operatively associated Withisaid driving means and said spindle for' succ'es'sively andnrep'eatedly elevating and lowering said; spindle during airecord changingz cycle, cam meanszoperatively associated with said-driving means and saidxmembers for moving said memhers uhd'eriasrecord during a first elevation of said: spindleand' away from said recordduring a second elevation of said spindle andfaicam'iopera= tiv'ely associated: with said driving means andsaid shelves' for' moving said: shelves toward" said spindle after said spindle is first lowered and awayfrom said spindle when said members are moved away from said. record.

15a: An automatic phonograph comprising a turntable; a-linearly movable spindle extending above said-turntable and centered with. respect td-said1turntable and including a record-support ing shoulder spaced from said turntable; a peripheralrecord-supporting means ina plane substantially"'with-z..that of said shoulder andfin cluding shelves movable for'engaging" the peripl1= eraliiedge portions of either a small or a large record; anrauxiliary peripheral record-supporting means comprisinga pair of record-supportin'g members peripherally'sp'aced from saidrperipheralwrecord supporting means in' substantially the same. plane: Withu said ITGCOI'drSUPPOIFtiHg shoulder ai'mll movableuradrv or away so e record" on said record-supporting shoulder, linkiage means iconnectingtsaid members; meansmfor driving said phonograph: through a record-I changingcycle, camlmeans operatively associated with said drivingimeansandsaid spindle for successivelyiandl repeatedly elevatin and lowering said spindle duringareciord-changing cycles cam and lever means operatively associated with said driving means and said linkageimeans for moving said members. under at record during a first elevation-1 of. said. spindle and away from said record during arsecond elevation ofsaid spindle and [a tcamtan'drleve'r operati'vely associated with said. drivingqimeansi and said shelvesior moving said shelves toward said spindle after said spindle is-first lowered: and. away from said. spindle when said-membersare moved away from said record.

16. Anv automation phonograph comprising a turn-table, ar-spindle extendingtabove .said turntable and movablelinearly with respect thereto and? centered with. respect tolsaid turntable and includingrecordesuppor-tin'g" means spaced from said turntable; movablelrecord moving. means in a" plane-substantially. J withthat of said: recordsupporting means, at. least one au-Xi-liary peripheral record-supporting means.peripherallyspaced from said mozvable meansin substantially the sameplanes-with said record-supporting means andsaid movable means and movable into and out-ofposition to'intercept the lowermost record on" said spindle when itisv elevated and. means operatively, connected with said spindle, said movable means: and said auxiliary record-supporting; means.- fori successively; elevatingsaid spindle; movinggsaid auxiliary supporting means to-its:interceptingposition;1 lowering said spindle; moving; said. movable means,. elevating said spindle andmoving said. auxiliary. supporting means from its'intercepting position;

JACKSON PRESSLEY;

REFERENCES CITED followingareferences are of record in the file of-thispatent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Kahl Sept. 5, 1944 

